Let's Get Physical: Freudenberg-NOK Helps Employees Get Healthy with Wellness Programs

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 31, 2005 -- Freudenberg-NOK wants its employees to sweat ... by adopting or continuing to lead healthier lifestyles. To help reach this goal, the automotive supplier recently announced the kick-off of several wellness initiatives, including its fourth annual Walk for Wellness program.

Walk for Wellness begins May 31 following wellness fairs at 27 participating facilities in North America and Mexico, where employees can sign up for the program. This year, select plant locations are joining forces with local health-related vendors to provide staff with general health information and enable them to have their blood pressure and body mass index checked.

Throughout the three-month program, associates submit a record of their total miles on a weekly basis achieved through walking or an equivalent exercise. Freudenberg-NOK's corporate-wide goal for participants is a minimum of 10 miles per week. Incentives are given to individuals at 100-, 175- and 250-mile increments. Developed in 2002, Walk for Wellness motivated 1,744 associates to walk more than 164,880 miles in 2004.

"Due to the tremendous success of Walk for Wellness, we've decided to expand our health initiatives to include two additional programs," said Sarah O'Hare, vice president of human resources for Freudenberg-NOK. "We are confident employees will embrace these new ideas, building on our foundation of pro-active health oriented programs."

At the conclusion of the initiative, the company will recognize all employees who took part by hosting "Wrap Up" parties at each facility. A prize will be given to the top performer at each location and associates will have the chance to nominate individuals for the Wellness Walker award, which will be presented to the most committed participant.

Freudenberg-NOK also offers Weight Watchers(R) and Fitness Equipment programs. The company offers payroll deductions to employees to cover upfront costs of membership for Weight Watchers(R). In addition, onsite meetings are held at facilities based on participation. The Fitness Equipment plan is designed to assist employees who purchase exercise equipment by offering them interest-free loans and having payments deducted from their payroll checks.

"By making it part of our corporate culture, employees understand the importance that Freudenberg-NOK places on wellness," said Dr. Mohsen Sohi, president and chief executive officer of Freudenberg-NOK. "It is proven that physical activity can reduce stress, create healthier work environments and address the ever increasing costs of healthcare that employers and employees face."

Founded in 1989, Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership is a joint venture between Freudenberg & Co. of Germany and NOK Corp. of Japan.

Freudenberg-NOK is a leader in automotive sealing and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) products and is a supplier to all automakers producing in North America, as well as all major tier one chassis and drivetrain suppliers. The company's headquarters and technical center in Plymouth, Mich. houses the most extensive supplier-operated sealing and noise and vibration testing facility in North America.

Freudenberg-NOK offers its automotive customers globally integrated products, including sealing packages for transmissions, engines, brakes, axles and steering, NVH components and packages, and all rubber, plastic and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) components for suspension, electrical and fuel systems.

The company also offers an extensive portfolio of special precision seals for the aerospace, appliance, business machine, fluid power, marine, medical, off-highway equipment and recreational vehicle markets. For more information, visit the Freudenberg-NOK website at http://www.freudenberg-nok.com/ .